I have to agree with that assessment. Tessa looks like a miniature Mrs. Claus. Well… if Mrs. Claus was chic and fashionable. She’s dressed in a red, cable sweater dress with fur collar and cuffs. There are white snowflakes down the front and white hearts along the hem. Her golden curls flow from underneath a red and white snowflake beret with a fur pompom. And her white tights have reindeer and hearts up the side. She really is to die for in that outfit.
I might have a tad bit of an addiction to dressing my daughter. Sue me. It’s just too much fun.
“She is quite a doll,” Kyle replies, as he strategically rids himself of all the boxes and bags he was toting. I have to give the guy credit, he did that like an expert. If they gave out Olympic medals for that event, Kyle would be the World Champion for sure.
“What the hell?” Michelle screeches. My eyes dart over to where she is kneeling in front of the coffee table with Tessa at her side. Her eyes are fixated on the picture I gave to Aiden for his office. When she finally looks up at me for an answer, I see tears streaming down her face. I smile back and nod my head.
“My best friend is having another baby?” She screams. Then she sniffles and jumps up to give me a tight, loving embrace. I latch onto her, knowing exactly how she feels. It’s the same way I felt when I found out she was getting married. The love I have for her is like the love I would have for a sister. It knows no bounds.
“I’m so happy for you,” she whispers in my ear as she rocks our bodies back and forth.
“Thank you,” I whisper back. I give her a tight squeeze and then pull away.
“Enough of the water works ladies. We need to get a move on or we are going to be late for the festivities at my mothers,” Aiden chides us affectionately.
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.” Michelle sniffles and waves him off.
I spend the next hour watching Tessa and Michelle playing with toys and showing off new clothes like Vanna White, while Kyle and Aiden huddle off to the side discussing football. Christmas isn’t all about giving and receiving gifts. That’s just an added bonus – being able to show people how much we care and that we are thinking of them. The real beauty of Christmas is spending time with the ones you love and knowing that no matter what, you’ll always have each other.
***
“Wake up, honey.” Aiden’s gentle voice penetrates my sleep. My upper body gently sways when his hands give me a little shake.
“Mmmm,” is all I can muster up as slumber starts to pull me under once again. I vaguely hear his chuckle, but I can’t respond.
A few minutes later, I feel cold air hit my face, sending goosebumps down my neck. A light shines and starts to penetrate the shield of my eyelids. I grumble in the back of my throat and try to burrow into my coat.
“Rise and shine,” Aiden mumbles in my ear.
I slowly open my eyes and begrudgingly blink the sleep away. I absolutely adore sleeping in the car. Add to that the fact that I’m pregnant and didn’t get much sleep last night, and I’m surprised he was even able to wake me up.
Today was a long, boisterous day. My mother-in-law’s house was full to the brim with aunts, cousins, siblings and children.
The only quiet reprieve I got today was when Aiden followed me to the bathroom and surprised me by bending me over the vanity for a quickie. That was hot and fun all right. My face splits into a knowing grin as Aiden pulls me out of the car by my hand.
“What’s that look for?” He asks and kisses my nose. His arms draw me closer and his scent envelopes me.
“Just remembering our love making session in the bathroom today.” I can feel the heat blanketing my body as the memories wash over me.
“Let’s get Tessa to bed and we can have another session, but in our room this time. I’ll be sure to take my time with you and drive you crazy during this round.” His fingers trace the seam of my jeans between my legs, and I instinctively move closer to his body, wanting more.
“Am I going to get to play this time? I want to suck you hard and deep…” My voice trails off and Aiden makes a pained noise.
“You’re such a tease. Let’s go. I’ll get Tessa and carry her to bed.” Aiden steps away from me and opens the back door to the truck in order to retrieve a sleeping Tessa from her car seat. My body is still humming, and I instantly miss his warmth.
“Lily and Michael were cute today. I really hope that something progresses there. I think he’d be good for her and draw her out of her shell. Maybe make her a little more social,” I chatter as we make our way into the house. Lily seems to have connected with Aiden’s second cousin, and I couldn’t be more thrilled for her.
“Yeah, we’ll see. Try not to meddle too much. I’m sure it will work out just fine if you leave them alone,” he responds after dumping his coat onto the couch.
“Who me?” I ask, slightly offended that he thinks I would meddle.
The only response I get is a quirk of his eyebrow before he heads for the stairs.
I follow him upstairs and watch as he takes Tessa’s coat and dress off. He gently pulls a nightgown over her head and sticks her arms through, before laying her down and covering her with the blankets. I’ll never tire of watching the two of them together. It amazes me how soft and tender this big, virile, masculine man can be.
I move to the side of the crib and kiss my fingertips before pressing them to her partially open mouth. My hand drags down her body and pats her diapered bottom.
Aiden takes my hand and leads me to the bedroom, where we waste no time stripping each other bare and exploring every part of each other. And once we’re sweaty, panting and completely spent, we fall asleep wrapped in each other’s arms.
This was by far the best, merry little Christmas I’ve ever had. And I know they’re just going to get better.
Merry Christmas to all! And to all a good night!
Acknowledgements
To my husband and family – I couldn’t do this without you! Lots of love for you!
Debi Barnes – you are my better half! What you do for me is invaluable and you’ll never be able to shake me.. So don’t even try. Next up is Elizabeth & Grant! Finally!
Elle Wilson – thank you for teaching me the French language! I will continue to creepily read your mind and make you type an inordinate amount of inappropriate comments. Your penis face shirt is in the mail!
Alicia Clark – you will need to fight me for Jacob! Thanks for your insight!
Ari Karčić – you knocked this one out of the park! Here’s to many more!
Kathy Krick – Thanks again doll for rockin’ with me and the Love Square gang!
To all the bloggers I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with… Thank you!
And to Jennifer at Love Between the Sheets, Lisa & Jennifer from Three Chicks & Their Books, and Emily at the SubClub Books… A huge thank you for your support and kindness. I owe you guys one… or maybe a few!
And for the rest of you… Thank you! Have yourself a merry little Christmas!
About the Author
Jessica is the author of the Love Square series. She grew up in Central New York, where she spends her days as a Security Analyst at an IT consulting company. In her free time, she enjoys reading books and developing ideas for her own stories. Writing is her secret passion that she's been fostering since elementary school, when she wrote her first book about a puppy. It has always been a dream of hers to be able to share her stories with the world.
Jessica currently lives in New York with her husband and three dogs.
Other Books by Jessica:
Love Square (Love Square #1)
His Ever After (Love Square #2)
Love, Your Concierge – March 2014
Bound in Blue (Love Square #3) – June 2014
Connect with Jessica Online:
Web – www.jessicaingro.com
Email – [email protected]
Facebook – www.facebook.com/jessicaingrobooks
Twitter – @uvrays1997
Their Merry Little Christmas (Love Square) Page 10